CHRISTMAS SHOWS.

Evening Star, Issue 7403, 24 December 1887, Page 2

CHRISTMAS SHOWS.

That Christmas is upon at again is apparent from, tho busy aspect thit maiw of our tradespeople's premises present and tho efforts that aro being made to set them oft to tho best advaotago by decorations of. various kinds. ''v? ? sStartiDg in Maclaggan street, wo find -that Mr J.-' Hantia, butcher, has a good'show of' meat, including tho caroaso of a three-year-old bullock; bred by Mr J. Bathgate of Jancfiold Farm, West Tutorl. Thare are also Southdown lambs from Mr H. Driver's estate at Iloreoshoo Bush, and some fine eheop and porkers, while tho windows aro uoatly decorated. '■ *■ ■'■ Mr A Rindoll shows a prlzo holfor bred by Mr 8. Garforth, cf Christchurch. This animal took first prizos at tho Christchurch and Dunedin Agricultural Shows. Mr Randoll has a!po some nico half-bred lambs, lino shcop, sucking-pigs, as well as hams and bacon of his own curing. His windows aro nicely decorated, while tho vorandah is set off with evergreens, among whioh are bung a numbor of colorod lamp?, the fffiot being very pretty . Tho City Butchery In Kattray street have a varied assortment, oamprisiDg tho oh-mpipn three-year-old steer at.tho recent shows, and a prize cow. bred by Mr E. Mer.tovo; also exoelient sheep and lambs, with some pr'mo porkors, bred by Mr B. WlnkQeld. Mr A. Hellycr, of Walker street, has, as usual, a good display of meat, well setoff with floral and other decorations.

Mr W. Patrick, of Princes street south, has on view a fine bullock bred by Mr 3. Shonnan, of the Taieri, with lamba and sucking-pigs bred by Mr J. Shand ; p!gs from Mr J. Roid'B estate at EMerslio; excellent mutton, with rums and bacon cured at his own establishment.

In Georgo street, Mr E. F. Liwrence mikes an effective display, tho prominent features of which are a prize ox of large dimensions and somo fine calves and lambs. These and the windows also are nicety

toff. Mr A. D jrnwell his his large shop in George street filled with a grand stock of meat, among which aro some prize haferj and Bheep. Ills lambs, bred by Mr T. Shand, of Otakia, are particularly fine, but the quilityof his goods nil round is, as a matter of foot, excellent, Tho establishment is lit up with olectrio light Ilia shops in Princes street and King streot also have supplies of tho same high-quality meat as Is to bo found in tho main establishment.

Messrs Watson aad Logglo make a very good show of meat Of all kinds, and liavo thoir shop nioely fixed up. Messrs D. Mann and CO. can a'so bo complimented on tho arrangement and the good quality of their Stock. ■

Mr J. S. Alexander, as usual, carries off the palm in so far as window decorations are oonoerned, some of the designs executed on saddles of mutton and Bucking pigs being very cleverly executed. His stock of moat is of high quality, a fat ox bred by Mr Grant, of Temuka, and a numbor of lambs from Mr Wylio's farm at Outram being specially noticeable. Mr J. Forsyth has a neatly arranged display of capital moatr, and his shop is nioely decorated. Messrs Rennie, Duke, and Loggle have been to considerable pains to set off an excellent assortment of meat to the best advantage, the whole effect b.-i.ng very good. Mr Bethune's shop, at the corner of Dundas and King streets, was tastefully deoorated with ferns and evergcens. The show of meat, which was excellent and varied, includes the splendid carcase of the second prize bullock at the agricultural show, which weighed ',4401b5. \ Mr J. Rtppai). of King street.- has a splendid display cf meat In the centre of the shop is a bullock weighing about I,ooolb and a large quantity of lamb and mutton. The shop is also tastefully deoorated with evergreens and flowers. Ot the ether City butchers, we may onumernte as having good shown, Mr W. Grlndley, of Albany street; Mr W R. Oole, of Hanover street; Messrs Wintbn and Swan, ot King street; and Mr A. F. Smith, of Princes street south. Mr Rae, of Kensington, shows sime really go< d meat, which is Improved in appearance by being tastefully decorated. Of the innumerable fruit shops in the City it is impossible to mention more than a few in the space at our disposal. The proprietors of several of them combine with the sale of friilt that of poultry and vegetables, and prominent in this category c mes Mr W. Bull, of George street. He has some grand turkeys, gecce, ducks, and spriog chickens on sale, together with a good assortment of fruit. The latter inolude strawberries (" Sir Joseph Porter"), Florence chorries, and hothouse peaches and grapes; while of green peis, now potatoes, and other vegetables there is an abundant supply. At Mr Bull's second shop in Goorge street there is a similar display on a smaller scale, while at the Prlnoes street Bhop tho specialties are fruits, vegetible', and confectionery. Hero aro to be found two or th-ee varieties of strawberries, some fine tomatoe", and a good assortment of fruits of various kinds. Mr J. Silverstone, of Princes street, ha? his mui! otpital display of fruit, including " Sir Joseph Pax'on " strawberries, cherries, oranges, and hothouse grapes and peaches. Mr E. Landorf, of High and Princes streots, has been doing a big business in fruit, vegetables, and confectionery. Prominent among his stock aie the favorite " Britten (Jnecn " and ' Sir Joseph Paxton " strawborries; while of green peas and new potatoes ho his a big supply. Mr 11. Ltrncr, cf Princes street, makes a capital show of poultry of all kinds, with fruits and cjnfcc-tiono-y in great variety. ' . Mr Jewlt*, as usual, has a largo supply of poultry of excellent quality. Mr J. J, Pryor, of Princes streot, makes an effective display of fruit and flowers ; while of o'her fruiterers who have good stocks miy bo rtontloncd Mrs Frneor, of the Arcade, and Mr K. Mitchell, of Gcrgeetrect. Tho grccers arc among those who have been at the greatest p ins to tot off their goods in tho ruos' attractive manner, and, as usual, tho old firm of Pdttci son and M'L od aro in tho front rank with an claborato arrangement ot their premises. Considorali'o time must have been ocoupicd, and certainly much skill and taste have been displayed in the fixing up of the two handsomo windows. One is 11 led with preserved fruits, muscatels, and tho like in fancy boxes; while tho other is devoted in tho main to a dlspby of fine hams and bacon. Among tho large variety cf articlos that attract the eye arose viral kinds of fancy and other biscuits, hearing tho wellknown names of Peck, Frcan, and Co., and Huntloy and Palmer.

Messrs A. and J. Macfurlano liivo as usual a striking display in their largo citabli hment in Maclaggah street. Tea is the most piomincnt of their large variety of goods, & rrgu'ar arcado down the contre of tho shop being formed by chests of this invaluablo commodity. They aro the best India and China teas procuraulo in the Milbourno market, and tho firiit havo a largo stock of them. Hams and bacon of their own cm ing are hore in large qtnntitics, while buttor and checfo of tho best quality are also plentiful. A specialty is a supply of a new brand of charapagna (Ooorgo Gould's), for which the firm are agents. In biscuit? aro noticeable come nico Bamplis of Peek, From, and Oo.'s make. Tho shop is most tast fully fitted up and decorated, and when lit up in tho evening had a really pretty appearance Thin firm's shop in Princes street also contains goods of tho samo quality as in tho main establishment, but thoro is not so much scope for scenic digpley. ' Mr J. B won, of Rattray street, has a good stock of grccery goods, and of winos and spirits of tho most popular brands. In the Octagon, Messrf Lclhas and Frazcr havo ah effective display of general groceries. In Oeorge street, Moesrs Campbell and Livingston, who have taken up tho old business of Esther and Low, maku a .capital display ef groceries, we'l sot off with lavish decorations. One of their windows is set apart for wines and spiits, for which they are agents, whilti that their stock of toas is very large la evidenced by the enormous number of chests that assist in making up the tasteful arrangement of the premises. Mr W. D. Sutherland's ppeoialty appears to he teas, tbc more favorito brands of which he blends himself. His stock of general grocory is, however, a very ooroprehansive onor Messrs Irvine and Stevenson have a good display of grocories, bams and bacon of their own ouriag, and park butchers' goods generally. Messrs Sinolalr Peden and Co. have decorated thbir promise in a tasteful manner, and In addition the goods inside are evidently of the highest quality i Messrs W VYhvto and Co., as usual, make an excellent show of groceries; while Messrs Ford and Smith's moro prominent exhibits are teas, preserved ftuiti, and haws. Several other grocers, too numerous to montion in detail, have also capital displays. Messrs Hancook and Co.'s shop at Kensington Is very niooly set off with f ems, etc., which gives the goods displayed in tho windows a taking appearance; Ot tho drapers, Messrs Brown, Ewing, and Co. make tho best outward display, their windows being very tastefully dressed, and contafhing, besides ordinary drapery and millinery goods, such ornamental arlioles as terra ootta Btatuettes and the like. Insido we And the show-rooms stocked with fancy goods and a variety cf articles suitable) for presents. Tho D.I.C. have In their large establishment a very comprehensive assortment of goods, with article* suitable for gifts in endless variety. Messrs Molllson and Duthie have, their windows very well arranged, and their general stock ot drapery and millinery articles is quite up to their usual high The G rani to House contains a capital show, of millinery and olothing of flrst-olass quality; while of such well-known establishments as those of Carter and Co., W. M'Beath, Mrs Gil), Mrs Dreavor, Miss dough, Miss Brownlie, Herbert, Hayhos, and Co, 0. Johneon and Co., Soarle and Co., A. and T Inglis, Prioa and Bulleid, Mrs Miller, Fyfe and Cuming, and others, it is sufficient to say that their display all round iB most'eredltable. Among the confectioners Mr T. Broadway, of Rittray street and Princes street, is again to tho fo'o with good displays of oakes of all kinds-Including birthday, gift, and wedding cakes-bonbons, confectionery of the best quality, shortbread, and Indeed everything that can be expected to be found In a business of this description. ■,*,'.■ Mr B. Browo, of George street, hns a good display in a similar line, and tho cakes on view in his window arc specially worthy of inspection. Among other establishments in this line a word cf praise must be given to Mr Hopkins, of Stafford and Manse streets, for his excellent display; also to Mr J. Thorn, ef the Grand Hotel corner; E. Aldred, of Georgo street. Coming to booksellers, Mr J. B'althwalte's establishment in the Cutting has suoh manifold attractions that customers have not waited for the holidays, bull have flocked to It in crowds for days past. Books are of course the principal feature of the display to he found here, and among them are the newest works from Home, the latest annuals, gilt-books: Mr old and young alike, and presentation works in handsome bindings J then Bibles, books of common prayer, and hymn books, Of fancy goods Mr Bralthwaite has an endless variety, while in silver and gold jewellery he has a large assortment of beautiful goods, Of tanov china there is also a good display; while toys of all descriptions are to be found in profusion, and a gratifying feature in connection withthe latter department is that the raaiorlty of the articles arc of local manufacture. In Ohtistmas c>rds and photographic views suitable far presents there Is quite a variety to cboose'iroro, and, tbodoslgnand execution of many of these are adMr J?Horsburgb, of George street,has a spaoially good supply of Christmas cuds'aod books suitable Jo* presentation during the holiday season. ; Messrs Wise, Caffln, and Co. always make a point of getting (supplied with the latest works Worn Home, and thoV have a large assortment of such books, in addition to their .ordinary..comprehensive, stock. Nelson's publications they have in plentiful supply, and also all the latest annuals and serials. » Mr P. Mitchell, of the Aroade, has a capital assortment of new books, annuals, and gift volumes ;> alio a large variety of fapcy goods. .'„.,/] Mr Bressey, of George street, shows. Ch»istma> crda in great yariety,.aud of very tasteful design. Mr Sllgo and Mr Huraffray also come out strongly in this department of their bjiblneßs. . •''! The bootmakers are in too great numbers to receive detiiled attention, but we may mention as partiouUrlv worthy of attention the displays made by; the City Boot Palace, theOontlqental Boot Depdt, Messrs Simon Bros., J. G. Green, and M. Harris. .. „ ! Among the poulterers must bo mentioned Mr 0. Georgeron, of Rattray street, who hj«« on view some • fino geeso, turkeys, and duoks. - In addition','•*& Gcnrg's w makes a spoflalty of smoked fish.yvhlohare cured at his Port Chalmers establisbrflent; . J , In the tea line we must not omit to that Messrs Nelson, Moate, and Co.'s establishment will well repay a visit* tho firm having been at l -great trouble and expense to make their jUspljy as attractive as possible. List evening it was surrounded with orowds of people, who greaUy admjred the tasteful arrangement of the windows' generally. •■ : ', .'" . v ■' , Among the dealers in toys and fanoy goods am to be enumerated Mr 8, Jacobs's Gift Depot, Mr Mon- ■ ; ■ ......,', ff i

jtfipe'"' Fancy Baz»r, The Utile Dustpan, arid fSSmXe Baz<ar. All these are filled to reploiion with fo tWa: Qoiincctioii may well to mentioned a big diaplaKyMfflreworbs on silo by Messrs J. and T. Cntl9fl|r« ; Georg-'e streot;. This Arm Is likely to do a bii buili&aurinrfl|oi hoUdayi'. ..... • i-Thos>B*es4en Plsiieiorto Company haro just hid tTielr premises elaborately dworatod by Messrs Smith ana SMfthSand thraffigot isSexooedingly pood. Tno dealgnrajni exooljeM.'Jand the manner in whloh tho work Haß]il>een fvnpcf out all through reflects the greatest credit prTt^wntractor?. The place) in Port Chalmers splays this forenoon. Tho drapers 1 shore exhibited a variety of very pretty things. Tho coofe-otlonors had a goodly show of tcinpHng'oalres. Tbo butchers had a grand show of prime meat, consisting of sotno magiiifioont beef; mutton, lambs, pork, Buoking-pigs, a variety of finill goods, and somo vcay tastefully decorated saddles of mutton, in addition to hams and bacon. The grooora m-.de a and Dunßmulr had a grand display of fruit, whilst in the shop windows of Messra Watts (the Cave) and Voiscy are exhibited a largo number of ornaments, dolls of various sorts and sizes, work-'baskets.flrc-soreenß, toys,'andag«neraTa?st>rtrfterjtor f »noy goods., The Volunteer Fire. Brigade Station is very tastefully decorated *ith'ferns and flowers; whi'e tho engine and other gear make a very protty show. Great praise is due to Captain Mitohcll and the members of the B igado for the very excellent manner in which tho whole of the plant is kept.